Healthcare reforms target drug access in Chile and the European Union

In Chile, health experts and authorities are discussing strategies to expand access to medications without increasing public spending. During the “Transforming drug access through regulatory trust” scientific meeting organized by the ISPOR Chile Chapter, participants emphasized that reducing regulatory approval times and promoting the adoption of biosimilars are essential for fiscal sustainability and patient care. César Oyarzo, director of Fonasa, noted that economic access depends on the State's ability to provide high-cost medications through existing regulations.

In the European Union, the European Parliament's Public Health Committee has approved a legislative resolution urging the European Commission to create a specific law for rare diseases. The proposal aims to address inequalities in screening, shorten diagnostic times, and increase research investment. Rare diseases affect between 27 and 36 million people in the EU, with 75% being children. Currently, 95% of these conditions lack authorized therapeutic options, and treatment availability varies significantly across member states. The resolution suggests establishing a binding coordination mechanism called the European Steering Committee for Neonatal Screening and Early Diagnosis.